As officers approached him, they ordered him to show his hands. Billodeaux complied but then lowered his hands into his lap, raised a handgun and turned it toward the officers, police said. One officer opened fired, hitting Billodeaux in the arm and chest.

Police later learned he had bought a ticket before entering the cinemas.

The Police Department is expected Tuesday to release the name of the officer who shot the gunman, McManus said. He said the officer has been with the department less than two years.

Billodeaux, who had several criminal cases against him out of Maricopa County, Ariz., is hospitalized at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido in serious but stable condition, police said. Once he is released, he will be booked into jail on various felony charges.